Do you believe that pooling tips encourages waitstaff to deliver good service in

1. 60

   Leroyworldposted 12 years ago

   Do you believe that pooling tips encourages waitstaff to deliver good service in restaurants?
   
   I have heard of this practice; but, I have little firsthand experience in that industry.  I would like to hear some different takes on the subject.

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2. 68

   onegoodwomanposted 12 years ago

   No........
   
   I believe that it is akin to a socialist program.
   
   
   Take care of my table, and I  will value you............
   
   
   if you have to 'share it'...........what is the point?
   
   Tips:
   
   To
   Insure
   Prompt
   Service
   
   
   If you can not do this...............you do not deserve the reward.    Those who DO, should not be expected to share it.

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3. 53

   beechnut79posted 12 years ago

   I used to patronize a place that had this practice.  The only reason I can think of for it is to prevent jealousy among the wait staff.

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4. 51

   msherrettposted 12 years ago

   I had not heard of this practice until my youngest son was a back server at a restaurant of a big D.C. hotel.  (He later became front server.)  This to me is an excellent way to do business.  The service is great each time to all present, not just to me.  I also saw this practice at another big restaurant elsewhere in D.C. and saw the same level of service.  I think all restaurants should work this way.

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5. 76

   beckyleighposted 11 years ago

   Absolutely!  I worked in several pooled houses in NYC and Atlanta.  It creates a superior sense of team work with the staff.  And the guests are always very well taken care of...here's why: 
   
   1) In a traditional system where a server has a section and is soley responsible for those tables, the other servers will help him when he is busy, but not very much.  However, when a server has a busy section in a pooled house, all the available servers are inclined to help, because they are getting a split of the tips. If they stand back and do not help, they will be admonished and eventually fired for not pulling their weight.
   
   2) It reduces jealously amoung the staff when a server has a "great night", because if one server has a good night, all servers do.
   
   3) The teamwork reduces the need for a lot of servers on the floor, therefore increasing the amount of tips each person will receive.
   
   4) The teamwork creates a sense of competition to SELL and the other servers and back servers help the front server have the time to sell and spend with the guests.
   
   I have always believed this type of system would work in general corporate sales too....it creates the ultimate in putting the customer first, teamwork and doing what it takes to succeed and make money.  Competition is purely around selling, not who makes the most commission (tips). And let's face it, in restaurants and general sales, it's rare there is a superstar who has abilities other don't.  Usually they are either lucky or greedy.
   
   This system rewards all who pitch in and requires each player be on their game or they will be weeded out by their peers in less than 2 weeks.  It creates a creme de la creme team.

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